Ponder showed steady hand in turbulent times

Anne Ponder

Anne Ponder, who has served as the sixth chancellor at Asheville's campus of the University of North Carolina system for the past nine years, is graduating summa cum laude - with highest honors - later this year after guiding the institution through some fairly choppy waters.

A native of Western North Carolina, Ponder announced last week at a regular gathering of faculty and staff her intentions to step down as leader of UNC Asheville effective July 31 after nine years as chancellor - the longest tenure of any leader in the institution's history since its first, William Highsmith.

When she first arrived on campus in 2005, she was greeted with a welcome basket that soon included a difficult financial picture for higher education, with budget cuts and declining state support accompanied by the economic travails of the Great Recession. Despite the fiscal challenges, Ponder has played a critical role in ensuring that UNC Asheville not only maintained a high level of quality it is academic offerings, but took major steps forward.

Under her watch, the university has solidified its relationship with the Asheville community, a bond subtly reinforced by the retirement of the term "UNCA" in favor of the more city-centric "UNC Asheville."

But Ponder's influence on the reputation of the university spans beyond the city limits. In 2009, UNC Asheville - which is unique in the UNC system as its only designated liberal arts institution - was chosen as the inaugural headquarters for the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Three years later, the university earned 10-year reaccreditation status from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, winning special plaudits from the organization's assessment committee.

During her tenure as chancellor, the university saw the largest construction boom in the institution's history, including the $41 million Wilma M. Sherrill Center, which opened in 2011. Through its UNC Asheville Foundation, the institution has added acreage to its campus, including the 10-acre Rhoades tract in 2008, property that now is home to the university's Student Health and Counseling Services, and nine acres adjacent to campus on Broadway Avenue. The purchase of another six acres where the Odyssey Community School currently sits should be completed later this month.

By focusing extensive energies on projects in cooperation with other local businesses, nonprofit organizations and other educational entities, Ponder was key in bringing the UNC Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy satellite program to the city. She also oversaw development of new partnerships with Mission Health System, the city of Asheville and the Renaissance Computing Institute.

News of Ponder's pending retirement naturally has resulted in praise and well wishes from many in the Asheville community and beyond. Tom Ross, president of the UNC system, called her "a phenomenal leader." Leigh Whittaker, UNC Asheville student body president, characterized her as "one of many mentors to me that have shaped my development as a female leader."

Holly Jones, Buncombe County commissioner, says that despite "some really rocky times in public education," Ponder "really elevated the standards of the university across the state and country." "I think there's a connection between UNCA and the community that's a lot stronger now than ever," says Jones, who apparently missed the memo about calling the institution UNC Asheville.

The difficult task of finding a worthy successor who will build upon the solid foundation being left behind by Ponder will now fall to Ross, the UNC system president, and King Prather, chair of the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees. "(Ponder) has championed diversity, strategic planning and public service, and she leaves UNC Asheville in a better place than when she arrived," says Prather.

As for Ponder's future, she says she is not sure of her long-term plans. Instead, she remains focused on meeting her current responsibilities as chancellor. "UNC Asheville really needs me now to be fully engaged," she says.

She realizes there is important work be done in the months ahead, including advocating on behalf of increased support for education when the General Assembly reconvenes for its short session in the spring.

The campus and community can rest assured that Ponder will not succumb to the lure of "senioritis" and coast into her "graduation" merely resting upon her laurels.

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Ponder showed steady hand in turbulent times

Anne Ponder, who has served as the sixth chancellor at Asheville's campus of the University of North Carolina system for the past nine years, is graduating summa cum laude ? with highest honors ?